Lens defeats Lille on penalties and joins Monaco in the round of 16
Real poster of these 1/16 finals of the Coupe de France, this Derby du Nord between Lens and the LOSC was particularly expected, despite a complicated health situation, which forced the Mastiffs to travel to their northern rivals in being deprived of 11 players (7 cases of Covid), in a Bollaert-Delelis enclosure which was struggling to resonate its 5,000 spectators. Maximum gauge requires, to the detriment of Franck Haise, the artesian technician.
And the lack of support was quickly seen for the Lensois, who had remained undefeated for five straight matches in front of their home crowd. Well entered into this match, Lille offered the first opportunity after a strike from Yazici, deflected on the crossbar by Fariñez (6th). And while Lens seemed to finally enter his match and put his foot on the ball, Djaló, from his right side, tried to find a partner at the far post. The Portuguese center was deflected by Danso … directly on Onana, who could deceive Fariñez (1-0, 28 ‘).
Fofana responds to Onana
In less than five minutes, the young Senegalese midfielder was realistic and offered himself a double, after a counter-attack invoked by Yazici and Bamba (2-0, 33rd). What punish the Sang-e-Or before the break, who were however more offensive before the opening of Lille. It was not until the second half to see Lens be sharper. This paid off since, on a low LOSC time, Fofana appeared at the penalty point to reduce the mark, well found by Saïd (2-1, 67th).
After an end of the match where Lens pushed a lot, with an opportunity from Saïd who grazed the frame (79th) and a cross found by Baldé (90th), the LOSC was unable to fold the match and could in particular have regrets after the post found by Yazici (84th). And, finally, at the end of the suspense, Fofana erased Reinildo then Lihadji and saw his strike surprise Grbic, with the help of the post to snatch the equalizer (2-2, 90th +5).
After a tense penalty shootout, Fofana, again, allowed RC Lens to win and overcome their eternal rival after turning the situation around. The Artésiens will face AS Monaco in the round of 16. The LOSC, which had yet the point of break, may have regrets and will have to recover against Lorient, Saturday, on the occasion of the resumption of Ligue 1.